Abstract

Abstract:

We present findings from a daily diary study that explored relative preferences for using each of six emotion regulation strategies and associations between those strategies and romantic relationship quality, as indicated by negative emotions experienced due to one's partner. We also investigate differences in these processes as predicted by country of residence (United States or India), since these countries differ on many aspects of social and emotional behavior. We hypothesized that a given emotion regulation strategy would be: 1) used more than the others, and 2) associated with lower negative emotions due to one's partner to the extent that its function fit with an individual's country of residence. The results provide both support for and evidence against our hypotheses, but in general suggest that culture can influence the preference for different emotion regulation strategies as well as their associations with negative emotional experiences in romantic relationships.

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